Oriontimes

Unless all institutions in Nigeria understand that they are pivotal pillars in making governance run well and gaining public trust while the nation soars high. A week ago, I set out to complete a transaction since the cash I had was insufficient to pay for a specific service provided to me. I chose transfer and was given an account number to remit the remaining cash. Unbeknownst to me, I had altered the figures so that one digit replaced another, indicating that the transaction was sent to the wrong account. After I was informed of my pricey mistake, I was so dismayed that I decided to ask my neighbor If I still had any chance of collecting my money. She confidently informed me there was hope and to call the customer support number, which I did. I was connected to an agent within 5 seconds of narrating my experience. I was still on the phone when he confirmed that I had made the wrong transaction. To my surprise, the customer service agent of WAVE informed me that my money ha...

The Russian authorities said yesterday that they had detained a suspect in the killing of a senior military officer, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov. The general, who died in a bombing on Tuesday, was the target of the most prominent political assassination in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. The suspect is a 29-year-old citizen of Uzbekistan whose name was not released. He was captured in a village outside Moscow, a spokeswoman for the Russian prosecutor’s office said. She said he had confessed that Ukrainian intelligence recruited him to kill Kirillov, who was in charge of the protection forces for the Russian military’s nuclear and chemical weapons. The assassination spread fear among Russia’s military and political elites. It also eliminated a top military leader who, according to Ukraine, had ordered the use of banned chemical substances. But it won’t do anything to help Ukraine’s forces on the battlefield, who are steadily losing ground.

China executed Li Jianping, a former official in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Jianping was convicted in the largest-ever corruption case in the country, totalling over $421 million. According to the Indian Express, the de ath sentence of Li, former secretary of the ruling Communist Party’s working committee for the Hohhot Economic and Technological Development Zone, was initially issued in September 2022 and upheld on appeal in August 2024. Tuesday’s execution followed the approval of the Supreme People’s Court and was carried out by a court in Inner Mongolia, according to a report by the state-run Xinhua news agency. 64-year-old Li was found guilty of embezzling three billion yuan (over $421 million) in illegal gains, marking the largest sum involved in a single corruption case in China’s history. Since taking power in 2012, Chinese President Xi Jinping has made the anti-corruption campaign a cornerstone of his governance. Official media...

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring fair practices in the state's mining sector, stating that he has no witch hunting agenda against any individual or businesses. Speaking at a stakeholders' forum held today, the governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye, highlighted the ongoing legal and policy challenges within the federal system, particularly in the mining sector, where state, federal, and community rights often clash. He emphasized the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal responsibilities to address complications in the sector even as he commends the regulatory coordination by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals. "We are all aware of the policy and legal complications around our brand of federalism. The struggle to clear these issues is still ongoing, especially within the solid mineral sector," the Governor stated, pointing out the...

The government collapsed as Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in Parliament, deepening a crisis of leadership across Europe at a time of mounting economic and security challenges, including the war in Ukraine. The vote to dissolve the government, which passed 394 to 207, with 116 abstentions, leaves Europe’s largest economy in the hands of a caretaker government ahead of elections early next year. Scholz had little choice but to call for the confidence vote after his three-party coalition splintered last month, leaving him without a parliamentary majority to pass laws or a budget. Elections are now expected to be held on Feb. 23, in what would be only the fourth snap vote in modern German history. Looking ahead: Seven parties will enter the campaign for Parliament with a realistic chance of gaining seats. The conservative Christian Democratic Union is poised to win the most, but some parties on the political fringes — especially on the right — are likely to have strong s...

The Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) has extended heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Ismail Omipidan, the former Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, on his recent appointment as Deputy Editor (Politics and Head of the Politics Desk) at The Sun Newspaper. In a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo, Chairman of the Osun Online Publishers Association, Mukhtar Ajelogbon, commended Omipidan's outstanding contributions to the field of journalism. He described the new role as a perfect fit for Omipidan, noting that his wealth of experience and exceptional skills in the media industry have long been evident. Ajelogbon expressed confidence that Omipidan’s appointment would not only be a significant milestone in his career but also contribute positively to the political coverage at The Sun Newspaper, given his deep understanding of both the political landscape and the d...

_...bags award of excellence in journalism_ By Omobolanle Jamiu An Osun based journalist and publisher of CityMirror News, Ayobami Agboola has been honoured with Osun Youth Ambassador Award (OYAA) 2024. At the 9th edition of Osun Youth Award (OYAA), which was held at Oasis Event Center, Osogbo the Osun State capital on Sunday 15th December, 2024, honoured sixteen Osun based youth for their outstanding contribution to the development of the State. OsunReporters Correspondent, Omobolanle Jamiu who was at the event, reports that the welcome address was said by the founder of Osun Youth reformers Initiatives Aminat Ajibola who welcomes everybody with immense joy and heartfelt gratitude. She also acknowledged the presence of the special guests and dignitaries. The annual event was organised by Youth Reform Initiative to honour and celebrate excellence, creativity and the extraordinary achievements of individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond in their fields. Ayobami ...

South Korea’s National Assembly impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, leaving the nation without a strong elected leader to tackle challenges like a belligerent North Korea and deepening political polarization at home. Outside the legislature, people danced in the streets, celebrating Yoon’s suspension from office over his short-lived declaration of martial law as proof of the resilience of South Korean democracy. The impeachment created a political vacuum at the top the unelected prime minister is temporarily in charge and a new government cannot be born until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate Yoon or formally oust him.

Israel will shutter its embassy in Dublin, the country’s foreign minister disclosed yesterday, after Ireland said it would file an intervention in support of South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, a charge Israel vehemently rejects. “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel,” Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister, stated in a statement. The relationship has been rocky for months. Israel recalled its ambassador to Ireland in May, as well as its ambassadors to Spain and Norway, after each of the three countries recognized a Palestinian state. Israeli officials said that closing the embassy did not mean Israel was severing diplomatic relations with Ireland. Officials from both countries noted that Ireland’s embassy in Tel Aviv would continue to function.

British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has stated that she no longer believes in God. In a now-viral interview with The Free Press, Badenoch identified herself as an agnostic and a cultural Christian, explaining how her once-strong religious convictions had evolved over time. When asked if she believed in God, she said, "Not anymore. But I'm not an atheist; I'm an agnostic. I used to believe strongly, but today I consider myself a cultural Christian." When asked whether the world benefited from believing in God or living as if God existed, Badenoch argued that deeds are more important than beliefs. According to her,

The Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) has extended warm congratulations to its esteemed member, Comrade Ismail Kolapo, on the occasion of his birthday today. In a press release issued to the media in Osogbo, Mr. Mukhtar Ajelogbon, Chairman of OOPA, commended Kolapo for his unwavering dedication and commitment to the association. Mr. Ajelogbon highlighted Kolapo’s significant contributions, noting that his consistent efforts have been instrumental in the growth and development of OOPA. As a former treasurer of the association, Kolapo’s tenure was marked by his relentless drive for the advancement and progress of OOPA, always striving to uphold its objectives and core values. His leadership, diligence, and passion for journalism have left an indelible mark on the association, inspiring both current and future members. The Chairman, on behalf of the entire association, wished Kolapo continued success, good health, and more years of impactful service to the profession and the a...